The RMT has suspended plans for rail strikes on 30 March and 1 April, the union has announced.

A tweet from the union said: “Following further discussions between @RMTunion and the Rail Delivery Group earlier today, industrial action scheduled for 30th March and 1st April is suspended. #RailStrike”.

The decision comes after discussions between the union and the Rail Delivery Group in the long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said they welcomed the move.

“This is great news for our customers and for our staff,” the spokesperson said.

“We are now jointly focused on working constructively towards a settlement to this dispute, which will mean we can do what we have always wanted to do – give our people a pay rise and help secure the long-term future of the railway with rewarding careers for all those who work on it.”